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Benjamin Hallowell

1799 – 1877

First president of the Maryland Agricultural College

Academic administrator Meteorological observer
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About Benjamin Hallowell

Lived 1799 – 1877 (aged 78). Benjamin Hallowell was an American academic administrator and meteorological observer.

Benjamin Hallowell (August 17, 1799 – September 7, 1877) was the first president of the Maryland Agricultural College.

Early life Benjamin Hallowell was born in 1799. He went to school at the Westtown Boarding School. In 1824, Hallowell opened a boarding school in Alexandria, Virginia, where his nephew Arthur Briggs Farquhar would later attend. His most famous student was Robert E. Lee who studied at the school for a month before entering West Point.

Hallowell was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1854.

On October 4, 1859, Hallowell was appointed as the first president of the Maryland Agricultural College. He would only accept the appointment on condition that the college not use slaves and he would not accept a salary. He helped to develop the college's curriculum, which included Ancient Languages, Modern Languages, Natural Sciences, English, and Mathematics. After one month of serving as the president, he resigned due to illness.

Death

Hallowell was buried at the Sandy Spring Friends Meetinghouse cemetery.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Westtown School
Positions held
University president
Also known as
Benjamin Hallowell (1799-1877), HALLOWELL, BENJAMIN

Family & relationships

Child
Caroline Hallowell Miller

People in Benjamin Hallowell's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Benjamin Hallowell's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Benjamin Hallowell?

first president of the Maryland Agricultural College

When was Benjamin Hallowell born?

Benjamin Hallowell was born on 17 August 1799 in Cheltenham Township.

When did Benjamin Hallowell die?

Benjamin Hallowell died on 7 September 1877.

What was Benjamin Hallowell's occupation?

Benjamin Hallowell was an academic administrator and meteorological observer.

What nationality was Benjamin Hallowell?

Benjamin Hallowell was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Benjamin Hallowell

· Wikidata: Q4888761

· DBpedia: Benjamin Hallowell (educator)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Benjamin Hallowell. https://biography.guide/benjamin-hallowell/

MLA: "Benjamin Hallowell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/benjamin-hallowell/.

Chicago: "Benjamin Hallowell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/benjamin-hallowell/.

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